AQ 243
28 Apr 1988 · Mechanical & Structural FailureALOHA AIRLINES FLIGHT 243
Boeing 737-200 · Aloha Airlines · Image: Wikimedia Commons
Why it happened
Fuselage fatigue tore the roof off
Fuselage lap joints
Metal fatigue
Explosive decompression
Aircraft
Boeing 737-200
Aloha Airlines
Route
Hilo (ITO), Hawaii, USA
→ Honolulu (HNL), Hawaii, USA
People
95 on board
1 fatalities
Date
28 Apr 1988
Flight crew
Captain: Robert Schornstheimer
Category
Mechanical & Structural Failure
Metal fatigue, broken parts, failed repairs.
THE STORY
Fatigue cracks ripped 18 feet of roof off at 24,000 ft. The crew landed the open-top 737 safely; one flight attendant was swept out.